Twenty-six months ago, Clifford had a major cardiac event. He wasn't sure he would ever be able to go out walking or slow jogging again, much less race or win.

"This is definitely my first victory in quite a long time," said Clifford, 47, who completed the 15K on Feb. 22 in 59 minutes, 53, seconds. "My pace is still off. I've been conservative with speed workouts. It's still in the back of my mind."

Last month's victory was even sweeter because Clifford's son, Ethan, who runs for Plano West, ran the final mile with him. Ethan, 14, completed the 5K in 18:39, winning the 10- to 14-year-old age group title.

Clifford, a chiropractor and consistent age group competitor, had always had a low heart rate and checked out well on physical examinations.

"I had no reason to suspect anything," he said. "I thought I was in perfect health and had no heart problems."

After solid training through the fall of 2011, Clifford set out that day to run a 36-minute 10K. He started strong at 5:45-per mile pace.

"Then, suddenly, like slamming on brakes, I was forced to come to a halt," he said. "Out of nowhere, both legs felt extremely fatigued and uncomfortable. I felt these sensations in my arms, too, but not as severe. I felt off-balance."

It took him nearly 10 minutes to walk 50 yards to his car. Unaware of his precarious state, he started to drive himself home. When his condition didn't improve, he headed to a nearby fire station, called 911 from the parking lot and credits the paramedics with saving his life.

His heart rate had soared close to 300 beats per minute because of ventricular tachycardia, a common cause of sudden death in runners and other athletes. When the paramedics began to work on him, they found no pulse or blood pressure, he said.

Clifford has a rare condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, a disorder of the heart's muscular wall that increases the risk of an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) and sudden death during strenuous exercise.

"It didn't occur to me that I was having a problem with my heart because I had absolutely no chest pain or tightness," he said. "I had none of the other symptoms typically associated with heart attacks."

Clifford was later told by a few doctors who saw him that they were shocked he survived. After a few days in the hospital's critical care unit undergoing cardiac testing and being observed, he was sent home with an external defibrillator until an internal device could be implanted.

His cardiologist, Dr. Robert Rinkenburger, told Clifford that he knew other patients with the same condition who had resumed running. Dr. Rinkenburger cleared him to run within a couple of months, Clifford said.

Four months later, he participated in the Plano Pacers monthly 5K and spoke to club members about his condition and the early warning signs. They include dizziness, palpitations, passing out or nearly passing out, and shortness of breath.

He wants runners to know he felt similar to how he feels late in a marathon. He advises others to get help if they don't feel right.

"I did stop right away, which might have saved me," he said. "But the decision I made not to get immediate help could easily have killed me."

Briefly: Olympic gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg will be at the Jewish Community Center of Dallas at 1 p.m. Sunday to launch its Swim Academy program. For information, visit jccdallas.org or call 214-239-7141. … The Dallas-area Chipotle will be supporting the North Texas Food Bank and Dash Down Greenville on Tuesday. The food bank will receive 50 percent of the proceeds, up to $10,000. … Competitor Group is looking for "race crew" volunteers and medical volunteers for the weekend of the Rock 'n' Roll Dallas half marathon, March 21-23. For information, visit runrocknroll.competitor.com, scroll down to "Tour Stops," then to "Dallas" (More Information)," then "Volunteer."

SATURDAY'S RACES

Allen Eagle Run 5K and 1-mile fun run, parking lot on the east side of Eagle Stadium, 155 Rivercrest Blvd., Allen, 8:15 a.m., $30 race day, 972-727-0362 or alleneaglerun.org. (Enter and exit from north end of the stadium that faces Exchange Parkway.)

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